The PYP Exhibition at

Canadian International School of Hong Kong

Parent Information Presentation

A collaborative inquiry

What is the Exhibition?

An inquiry that starts from personal interests and passions but extends into real world issues

An inquiry that requires students to apply their learning from previous years

A “rite of passage” from the PYP to the MYP

A celebration of who our students are as learners

A culmination of the PYP journey that is mandated by the IB

It is not ...✤ A poster contest✤ A competition✤ Individual✤ Product-driven✤ Adult-directed✤ A burden✤ Boring

It is ... ✤ Intense✤ Challenging✤ Engaging✤ Exciting✤ Self-directed✤ Process-driven✤ Rewarding✤ Action-provoking

Students will be required to demonstrate the attitudes and attributes of the Learner Profile

Appreciation Commitment ConfidenceCreativityEmpathy

Independence

Respect Cooperation

CuriosityEnthusiasm

IntegrityTolerance

AttributesCaring

KnowledgeableOpen-minded

InquirersPrincipled

CommunicatorsThinkersReflective

Risk-takersBalanced

Attitudes

CommunicationSocial

ResearchSelf-management

Thinking

Students will be required to apply the PYP Transdisciplinary Skills

FormFunction

CausationChange

ConnectionPerspective

ResponsibilityReflection

Students will be conducting their inquiries through the PYP Concepts

Our Transdisciplinary Theme

Where We Are in Place and TimeAn inquiry into orientation in place and time; personal histories; homes and journeys; the discoveries, explorations and migrations of humankind; the relationships between and the interconnectedness of individuals and civilizations, from local and global perspectives.

Global interaction has increased over time and impacts people and society.

Our Central Ideas

Circumstances cause people to journey to different places impacting their lives and the lives of others.

Circumstances, experiences and actions can lead to change.

The time and the place in which people live affect life and how they connect with others.

Discoveries can lead to change.

Students will select areas of personal interest

What’s next?

These areas need to be connected to a central ideaCollaborative groups will be formed around students’ interests

What are the expectations?

1. Students decide on their issueStudents decide on what issue they would like to explore and what they can explore based on their own personal interests and passions.

2. Create a big questionIn their groups, students create:✤ A big question✤ A timeline✤ A planner

3. Engage in the research process✤ Task definition✤ Information seeking strategies✤ Location and access of sources and data✤ Use of information ✤ Synthesis✤ Evaluation

4. Taking the inquiry deeper✤ Reflect and ask questions ✤ Consider possible action✤ Take action ✤ Choose and plan a presentation

5. Presentation ✤ Students present their research and conclusion through different media✤ Students orally present their process and findings to visitors to the Exhibition

What is the role of the student?

✤ With teacher support, carry out an open-ended or guided inquiry into a real-life issue or problem.

✤ To demonstrate their learning and the development of the attributes of the IBO learner profile

✤ Be academically honest when referring to their sources of information

✤ Reflect on the components of and processes involved in the Exhibition.

✤ Carry out self and peer assessment.

✤ Tuning-In: January 7-18

✤ Student Investigations, Exhibit and Reflections: March 11-May 3

✤ Exhibition: April 24 (This is also considered your child’s Student Led Learning Review [SLLR])

✤ Students will engage in Math throughout the Exhibition and the remainder of their time will be devoted to working on inquiries, reflecting and taking action

✤ There will be structured workshops to assist the students in developing their inquiries

✤ There will be time for students to meet with mentors, homeroom teachers and teacher supervisors

What is the time commitment for students?

What about home learning?✤ The home learning focus will be the Exhibition

✤ Mathematics home learning will continue

✤ Students should continue to read every evening

✤ The children should use their time at home to research and prepare for the Exhibition work

which they will continue in class

What is your role as a parent?

✤ To have an understanding of the purpose and requirements of the PYP Exhibition

✤ To support and encourage students and teachers through the process of inquiry so that they may take real and authentic action

✤ To keep informed about the Exhibition by reading newsletters, attending meetings, checking the school website and class/student blogs, and by talking with your son/daughter

✤To help your child to access resources - people, places, media and information

✤ To provide expert subject knowledge where applicable

✤To encourage independent inquiry and respect student ownership of the process

Communication

Any of your questions or concerns should be directed to the homeroom teacher. He/She will communicate all parental messages with the Teacher Supervisor and your child’s mentor (if required).

Some things we should all remember ...

✤ As with any inquiry there will be times when it seems that students are not being very productive or learning might appear messy✤ Sometimes there will be lot of discussion and thought but this will not result in anything that can be seen✤ Students (and adults) need time and space to wonder about things and consider their plans✤ Considerable emphasis is placed on the students’ Process Journals, where they will show their understandings of concepts, the process and the application of skills✤ The Exhibition is not product-driven so the students’ presentation is not considered the only evidence of learning

Most important of all ...

... we want students to enjoy their experience and celebrate themselves as independent and active inquirers. We want our

children to see the joy in learning!